Though it remained popular with mass audiences, late 17th-century Restoration critics saw Hamlet as primitive and disapproved of its lack of unity and decorum.

This view changed drastically in the 18th century, when critics regarded Hamlet as a hero-a pure, brilliant young man thrust into unfortunate circumstances.

By the mid 18th century, however, the advent of Gothic literature brought psychological and mystical readings, returning mandness and the Ghost to the forefront.

Not until the late 18th century did critics and performers begin to view Hamlet as confusing and inconsistent.

By the 19th century, Romantic critics valued Hamlet for its internal, individual conflict reflecting the strong contemporary emphasis on internal struggles and inner character in general.

Then too, critics started to focus Hamlet's delay as a character trait, rather than a plot device.

This focus on character and internal struggle continued into the 20th century, when criticism branched in several directions, discussed in context and interpretation.